The Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board met on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, to discuss the Lancashire Better Care Fund and progress on Neighbourhood Health Plans. The Board formally ratified the 2025/26 Quarter 3 Better Care Fund submission and received an update on the development of an Interim Lancashire Neighbourhood Health Plan.

Lancashire Better Care Fund Update

The Board formally ratified the 2025/26 Quarter 3 submission for the Lancashire Better Care Fund (BCF). This fund aims to integrate health and social care services. The report indicated that the BCF is on track to meet the goal of reducing residential admissions, but progress on reducing discharge delays was not yet on track to meet the goal, with the full picture expected to emerge later in the quarter. Data for reducing emergency admissions was also noted as not yet available for Q3, requiring caution. The overall forecast for the BCF in 2025/26 is £214.860 million, with approximately £158.791 million spent by the end of Quarter 3. The Board also discussed preparations for the 2026/27 BCF plan, focusing on alignment with national priorities and exploring opportunities for delivering services differently through partnership working. A proposal for meaningful co-production with people who have lived experience to shape future BCF plans will be brought forward to a future meeting.

Neighbourhood Health Plans in Lancashire

The Board received an update on the development of an Interim Lancashire Neighbourhood Health Plan, following a workshop held on 20 January 2026. This initiative is part of a national reform programme, Fit for the Future: 10 Years Health Plan for England, which aims to shift healthcare delivery from hospitals to communities, embrace digital solutions, and prioritise prevention over sickness. The workshop, attended by over 55 participants from various organisations including the NHS, local authorities, and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, focused on developing a shared understanding of neighbourhood-based approaches. Key themes emerging from the workshop included the importance of defining neighbourhood geography, multi-sector collaboration, understanding local assets, and the essential role of community involvement and co-production in planning and scrutiny. Participants identified immediate actions such as strengthening communication, developing person-centred pathways, and beginning to share data. An interim strategic plan is being drafted, with a second workshop planned for May 2026 to shape the operational plan, which is expected to be published by the end of June 2026.

Oral Health Update

A previous request for a comprehensive update on NHS dental provision in Lancashire was reiterated. The Board agreed to receive a report from the Director of Public Health at a subsequent meeting to address concerns regarding access to NHS dental care, particularly for communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities. This report will include statistics on appointment access, identification of significant gaps in provision, an assessment of how these gaps widen inequalities, and practical local opportunities to expand provision, including strengthening prevention programmes and supporting workforce recruitment and retention. The Board also confirmed that oral health outcomes will be routinely reported to enable monitoring of trends and the impact of local interventions.

The next meeting of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled for 19 May 2026.